Volunteer Information Booklet

Transcription

1 Volunteer Information Booklet 1

2 ABOUT ENCIRCLE Overview of Services Encircle Ltd. (formerly the Pine Rivers Neighbourhood Centre) was established in response to a public meeting called by the Pine Rivers Shire Council in Concerned citizens of Pine Rivers recognised the growing need within the shire for a service that could provide support for local families facing distress and needing support so they could gain full participation in community life. Strengthening individuals and families to take informed control of their lives and together enriching community." Mission Statement Aims & Objectives Encircle Ltd is managed by a board of directors. The organisation has legal responsibilities outlined in the constitution. The Constitution also states the objects of the company, and these are to operate for the benefit of individuals, families and communities, targeting the most disadvantaged by: Fostering cooperation between persons, groups and organisations in relation to community wellbeing. Promoting and assisting the development and implementation of community services engaged in the relief of poverty, homelessness, distress or disadvantage. Coordinating and supporting community development activities and advocating to governments and the community for adequate resources. Facilitating and participating in public forums and seminars on community issues. Encouraging community involvement and participation in meeting the objectives of the company. Undertaking other activities and functions which are incidental to the attainment of the objectives of the company. 2

3 ENCIRCLE s Practice Framework Encircle works within a Strength Based Framework in all interactions with the community it supports. A Strength Based Framework works alongside people to: identify and build on their competencies, resources and capacities rather than focus on perceived deficits identify and build on change that is naturally occurring and within the individual's control acknowledge that people are experts in their own lives, and uses language that reflects this see the problem as the problem, rather than the individual or group as the problem assist people to define their aspirations and goals and focus on the future recognise that change is constant and inevitable support self-determination through genuine choice and the right to participation, inclusion and consultation At an organisational level and at a board (governance) level this influences processes, including how we evaluate, give and receive feedback, work collaboratively, make decisions and engage with new ideas. It also facilitates a mutual learning environment that values self-reflective practice. ENCIRCLE s work is: Community development oriented Family focused Child and young person centred Prevention and early intervention focused 3

4 Encircle's practice framework is informed & guided by the following operating principles: Social Justice Socially just practice is premised upon a commitment to access, equity, participation and rights for all members of the community, particularly those who are vulnerable or systemically marginalised. Professionalism Professionalism involves demonstrating a high standard of ethics and behaviour in all work activities Integrity Integrity involves honesty, truthfulness and authenticity; it is demonstrated by consistency and methods Transparency Transparency involves openness, communication and accountability and requires appropriate governance and reporting structures and systems. Respect Respect involves a high regard for people s intrinsic worth, their right to self determination, participation and inclusion. Partnership Partnership involves cooperation and/or collaboration and may be informal or formal. We will work in partnership with the community, other organisations and funding bodies in order to best meet the needs of clients and the community, and to maximise resources. 4

5 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE The organisation is overseen by the Board and CEO Team. Encircle provides a range of activities and services for individuals and families that fall within seven focus areas. Each focus area is led by a Focus Area Manager. The Board and CEO Team work together to implement best management practices, and promotes cooperation; integration and continuity between the seven focus areas. The role of the CEO and Services Manager are to: Lead, direct and manage the operations of the ENCIRCLE within a developmental framework, in collaboration with the Board. Develop and maintain strategic relationships/partnerships to enhance community profile, ensure organisational sustainability and deliver targeted services that respond to community issues and needs. Foster and sustain an organisational culture based on a team and strengths approach Manage the organisation s human resources, assets, finances and IT systems. Volunteer roles: Board Members ICT Volunteer Maintenance Volunteer Community Masterchef Volunteer Volunteer Administration Worker Volunteer Internal Auditor Volunteer Grant Writer Policy Subcommittee Volunteer The CEO team also manages the Riverstop Café, delivering quality food and catering to support the work of the organisation. 5

6 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Community Participation & Capacity Building Volunteer roles: Community Centre Administration Volunteer Volunteer Community Garden Facilitator Volunteer Gardener NILS Volunteer Loans Worker NILS Volunteer Administration Worker Volunteer Greeter Volunteer Telephone/ Administration Worker Intake & Response Volunteer Intake & Response Debt Support Volunteer Dad s Playgroup Volunteer Information & Referral Providing a warm welcome and responding to requests for information about available services in the community, such as government departments, social clubs, educational courses, welfare agencies, and legal and health services. This is performed through our reception and phone services. Intake & Response (I&R) - People presenting at the Centre requesting support services undertake a confidential interview (conversation) to help workers understand the whole story of the current situation. This can help the workers and the client figure out the best strategy in response to their situation. This might include referral to Emergency Relief services, advocacy around bill payments, homelessness support services, counselling services, family support services, Homestay (Support to stay housed), legal advice services, courses, groups etc. No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) - Interest-free loans for individuals and families on low incomes. This is a community-based program that enables people to access fair, safe and equitable credit for the purchase of essential goods and services. Volunteering opportunities - Volunteerism is at the heart of the Neighbourhood Centre. Our services to the community would not exist without the dedication of our large volunteer team. Community spaces - Facilitating access to affordable community space through the management of seven council owned facilities. Community Garden - Creating a welcome environment for the Lawnton office and fresh produce for the Riverstop café. 6

7 FAMILY & INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT Building personal and family capacity through the provision of a range of support and interventions. Volunteer roles: Counselling & Family Therapy - Available by appointment to individuals, children, couples and families who would like support to explore various concerns they may be experiencing. This could involve help to deal with a stressful situation, pre marriage counselling, increasing self-esteem and confidence, family breakdown and relationship and family difficulties, issues relating to family violence and grief and loss. Family Support Volunteer Programs Administration Worker Volunteer Playgroup Facilitator Family Support - Providing early intervention support to families to make changes and develop insight in the areas of parenting, family relationships, and children s needs and development where families may have been impacted by mental health issues, relationship breakdown, social isolation, or experiences of emotional or physical trauma. 7

8 HOMESTAY Volunteer roles: Homestay Support Volunteer Early Intervention Homelessness Support for individuals and families at risk of homelessness to Stay Housed through the provision of customised support to maintain and sustain their tenancy. Homestay Caseworkers support people by: Offering advice on what to do if they have received a Form 11 (Notice to Remedy Breach) or Form 12 (Notice to Leave); Providing advocacy with Real Estate agents or Government Housing department; Helping with paperwork and phone calls; Finding appropriate and more affordable housing; Providing opportunities to learn new skills to ensure people are able stay in their accommodation; Referring to other specialist services where needed; Providing information, advice and referral options. Volunteer roles: Volunteer Solicitor Volunteer Legal Administration Worker Volunteer Reception Worker LEGAL SERVICE (Pine Rivers Community Legal Service) - Access to Justice provides a free and confidential legal advice service: face to face legal advice information and referral, including printed materials Assistance with the completion of various Do It Yourself Kits. Will making Powers of Attorney documentation Community education sessions Collaborative partnerships exist with Family Relationship Centres at Chermside and Strathpine to enable on site delivery of advice and drafting of consent orders 8

9 COMMUNITY LEARNING Training and Development for self-help, further education and personal growth in a facilitated peer support setting. Courses & Workshops - A variety of opportunities are available that enhance our ability to cope, that connect us with others in a supported environment. These include course and workshops around parenting, self-esteem, cooking, budgeting, grief and loss, family relationships, as well as various support groups. Families In Transition - Incorporating Seasons a change and loss peer support program for both children and parents who are having difficulty adjusting to changing family circumstances such as separation, divorce or the death of a loved one. 'Seasons for Adults' addresses a wider variety of life's significant loss events. Adult literacy - Adults who need help with reading and writing learn in a fun environment, flexible enough to take into account the specific needs and literacy levels of individuals. Volunteer roles: Volunteer Administration Worker Volunteer Adult Literacy Tutor Volunteer Facilitator Multicultural Support Volunteer Volunteer General Support Worker Volunteer Childminder Volunteer Driver YOUNG PARENTS PROGRAM (YPP) YPP is a place where young pregnant and parenting women can come together to meet other young mums and mums-to-be, to access support and information and get involved in fun group activities. The service is for young pregnant women who are 19 and under, and young mums who were teens during their first pregnancy and are still under 23. YPP runs a Pregnancy Group for first time mums-to-be as well as Young Mums Groups. Workers also provide individual support around a range of issues and experiences. YPP regularly runs different projects for young pregnant and parenting women as well as creating and participating in opportunities for community education and social action. Volunteer roles: YPP Volunteer Administration Facilitator YPP Volunteer Administration Worker Volunteer Service Delivery Support Worker Volunteer Gardener Volunteer Donations Management Worker 9

10 REDCLIFFE COMMUNITY SUPPORT Volunteer roles: Volunteer Gardener Volunteer Greeter Volunteer Telephone / Administration Worker Intake & Response Volunteer Volunteer Flexi Ride Driver Volunteer Flexi Ride Desk Operator Volunteer Bus Assistant Volunteer Bus Driver Family Support Volunteer Contact Centre Volunteer Community Support - The centre responds to community needs within a safe and welcoming environment. Support services are offered to community members using an approach which values each individual and their strengths. The centre can provide community information, general support and referral and coordinates their own Redcliffe based volunteer base. Domestic Violence Counselling - Offering support, information, advocacy or referrals in a safe, confidential and non-judgmental environment by qualified and experienced counsellors. Family support - The services provides support and resources to parents and families on the Redcliffe Peninsula who are experiencing difficulties in coping and functioning effectively as a family unit. Family Therapy & Counselling - Available by appointment to individuals, children (aged 8 and over), couples and families who want help to explore personal and/or relationship issues. This can involve dealing with a stressful situation, relationship or family difficulties or working through life s challenges. Encircle Children s Contact Centre - Aims to minimise a child s exposure to conflictual or unsafe situations. The service provides a safe, neutral and child-focused venue for supervised visits and changeovers to occur between children, their parents and other significant persons in the child s life. Older Persons Action Program - Offers a broad range of support services and social activities for seniors living in the Redcliffe Peninsula, Deception Bay, Mango Hill and North Lakes areas. It aims to reduce social isolation by providing programs and activities which cover a broad range of interests. We can also provide information, advocacy and referrals for local residents aged 50 years and over and not in paid employment. Activities include morning teas, bus trips and flexiride (community transport service). 10

11 zz Volunteer Development Coordinators Encircle Volunteer Development Coordinators are based at Lawnton, Redcliffe, Legal and the Young Parent s Program and can guide you through the volunteer placement process. Their contact details are: Encircle (Pine Rivers Services -Community Development, Board & CEO Team, Community Learning, Homestay, Family and Individual Support Volunteers) or vol@encircle.org.au Pine Rivers Community Legal Service (Community Legal Service Volunteers) or vol@encircle.org.au Encircle Redcliffe (Redcliffe Services Volunteers) or vol@encircle.org.au Encircle Young Parents Program (Kedron) or vol@encircle.org.au 11

12 ENCIRCLE Focus Areas & Volunteer Positions COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Community Participation and Capacity Building & Referral Community Centre Administration Volunteer Volunteer Community Garden Facilitator Volunteer Gardener NILS Volunteer Loans Worker NILS Volunteer Administration Worker Volunteer Greeter Volunteer Telephone/Administration Worker Intake & Response Volunteer Intake & Response Bill Support Volunteer Dad s Playgroup Volunteer EXECUTIVE TEAM & BOARD Organisation leadership, development sustainability Board Members ICT Volunteer Maintenance Volunteer Community Masterchef Volunteer Volunteer Administration Worker Volunteer Internal Auditor Volunteer Grant Writer COMMUNITY LEARNING Training/Development Volunteer Administration Worker Volunteer Adult Literacy Tutor Volunteer Facilitator Multicultural Support Volunteer Volunteer General Support Worker Volunteer Childminder Volunteer Driver FAMILY & INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT Build Personal and Family Capacity Family Support Volunteer Programs Administration Worker Volunteer Playgroup Facilitator REDCLIFFE COMMUNITY SUPPORT Services to the Redcliffe Community Volunteer Gardener Volunteer Greeter Volunteer Telephone/Administration Worker Intake & Response Volunteer Volunteer Flexi Ride Driver Volunteer Flexi Ride Desk Operator Volunteer Bus Assistant Volunteer Bus Driver Family Support Volunteer YOUNG PARENTS PROGRAM Supporting young parents YPP Volunteer Administration Facilitator YPP Volunteer Administration Worker Volunteer Service Delivery Support Worker Volunteer Gardener Volunteer Donations Management Worker LEGAL Access to Justice Volunteer Solicitor Volunteer Legal Administration Worker Volunteer Reception Worker HOMESTAY Staying Housed Homestay Support Volunteer Encircle Ltd. Ltd. Volunteer Information Booklet 12 12

13 Volunteering for ENCIRCLE Since Encircle began in 1987, volunteers have been an important part of the services which the centre provides to the community. Many of our programs would not be able to run without the ongoing commitment and support of our volunteer team. According to Volunteering Australia, formal volunteering is an activity which takes place through not for profit organisations or projects and is undertaken: to be of benefit to the community and the volunteer; of the volunteer s own free will and without coercion; for no financial payment; and in designated volunteer positions only. 13

14 Volunteering Australia: Principles of Volunteering Volunteer Rights and Responsibilities: Encircle Qld subscribes to the Volunteering Australia National Standards. Policy and procedures concerning the rights and principles of volunteering can be found on the Volunteering Australia website at Depending on the volunteer s interests and needs, volunteering in the organisation is a way of: developing work experience increasing social interaction and meeting people experiencing something new learning new skills or improving existing skills sharing knowledge and experiences gaining a sense of purpose and a sense of belonging becoming better acquainted with the community giving back to the community being useful and helpful getting back into the workforce. 14

15 . Important Policies & Procedures Encircle has a comprehensive Policy and Procedure Manual and you are encouraged to spend some time reading through and understanding them at the commencement of your volunteer placement. The Manual is kept outside the office of the CEO at the Lawnton site and is available to all volunteers. The Policy and Procedure can also be found on the organisation s intranet. The following policies and procedures are essential for you to read and understand in order for you to fulfill your role as a volunteer. Confidentiality Procedure Code of Conduct Procedure Volunteer Support and Supervision Procedure Practice Framework Policy Positive Workplace Behaviour Procedure Misconduct Procedure Workplace Bullying Procedure Antidiscrimination and Sexual Harassment Procedure Access, Equity and Eligibility Procedure Insurance Policy Child Protection Policy Child Abuse and Neglect Notification Procedure 17 15

16 ENCIRCLE Volunteer Recruitment Flowchart Volunteer Enquiry Meeting 1: With Volunteer Development Coordinator Potential Volunteer has an overview of Encircle and Volunteer Roles Issued with Volunteer Information Booklet & Potential Position Descriptions Completes a Volunteer Application Form Completes a Blue Card Application / Police Check Form Application then forwarded to the most appropriate program Meeting 2: With Program Supervisor Supervisor contacts volunteer to arrange a meeting to determine suitability. If unsuitable, Supervisor lets Volunteer Coordinator know to find another position. If suitable, volunteer reads and signs Confidentiality procedure and Code of Conduct Form (these are returned to the Volunteer Coordinator) Volunteer is provided with any training required for the role Supervisor arranges a commencement date once blue card/police check approved Confirmation by Volunteer Development Coordinator The Volunteer Coordinator Sends an Encircle Volunteer Confirmation letter and Agreement form Volunteer s details added to central volunteer database. The Volunteer is kept informed about whole centre events & skills workshops. Volunteer commences role General Orientation of centre on the first day Supervisor ensures ongoing training and support is provided. Supervisor supports day to day volunteering and Informs the Volunteer Coordinator of any changes to volunteering (resignation or change of role) 1816

17 Volunteer Interview & Application First name: Last name: Address: Telephone Number: (H) (M) Emergency Contact: Name: Contact Number/s: What interests you about volunteering at Encircle? Have you volunteered before? (please provide details) Which role do you think is the best fit for you? Why? Do you have any relevant qualifications and/or experience? Have you ever been client of Encircle? If yes, please let us know which service: Are there any medical issues/special needs that may impact on your volunteer involvement? What days and times are you available? If you have a motor vehicle licence, please provide a copy. Do you have a current blue card? Yes / No If yes, please provide a copy. If no, please complete a blue card application form. (Please note that a blue card is required for most volunteer roles at Encircle.) Do you consent to a police check if required? Yes / No (Please note, some programs require a police check) Do you consent to the use of photos or video yourself for promotional purposes? Yes / No Please provide contact information for two character/work referees: Name: Telephone Number/s: Name: Telephone Number/s: Appropriate training will be provided at no cost to you, and, depending on the volunteer program, in return, we will require some commitment from you with regard to the length of time for which you volunteer. Applicant s Signature: Date: 17